L43. Daily Japanese Kanji — Lesson 43
Days 41-50
R-report
[Day 43] 兄 - older brother
The kanji 兄 originally depicts an elder sibling and is used to refer to an older brother or elder male in familiar contexts. You will see it in family words (referring to your own brother), polite forms (addressing someone else's brother), and casual slang among friends. Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are both used. Common On'yomi: ケイ / キョウ (kei / kyō) appears in some compounds; common Kun'yomi: あに (ani) is the native Japanese reading for "older brother." Mnemonic tip: imagine the top stroke as a cap for an older sibling — someone a little above you.
Readings
On'yomi: **ケイ / キョウ** (kei / kyō) Kun'yomi: **あに** (ani)
Related words
- 兄（あに / ani） — older brother (one's own). - 私の**兄**は先生です。(Watashi no ani wa sensei desu. — My older brother is a teacher.)
- お兄さん（おにいさん / onii-san） — older brother (polite; also used when addressing someone else's brother). - あなたのお**兄さん**はどこにいますか。(Anata no onii-san wa doko ni imasu ka? — Where is your older brother?)
- 兄弟（きょうだい / kyoudai） — siblings; brothers and sisters. - 私には**兄弟**が二人います。(Watashi ni wa kyoudai ga futari imasu. — I have two siblings.)
- 兄貴（あにき / aniki） — older brother (very colloquial; "bro," often used among men). - 兄貴はいつも私を守ってくれる。(Aniki wa itsumo watashi o mamotte kureru. — My bro always looks out for me.)
- 義兄（ぎけい / gikei） — older brother‑in‑law. - 義**兄**は先週引っ越しました。(Gikei wa senshuu hikkoshimashita. — My brother‑in‑law moved last week.)